Gardaí Launch Enhanced Road Safety Campaign for St Brigid's Bank Holiday Weekend

An Garda Síochána has commenced an intensive road safety and traffic enforcement operation across Ireland this morning, targeting distracted driving and other dangerous behaviours throughout the St Brigid's Bank Holiday weekend.

The enhanced campaign, which began at 07:00 today and runs until 07:00 on Tuesday, 3 February, will see every garda on duty conducting road traffic enforcement activity alongside dedicated checkpoints.

The operation comes as new figures reveal a worrying increase in mobile phone use behind the wheel. A Road Safety Authority observational survey conducted in September and October 2025 found that 8% of motorists were using a handheld mobile device whilst driving, a significant deterioration from the 6% recorded in 2024.

Gardaí have issued nearly 110,000 Fixed Charge Notices for holding a mobile phone whilst driving over the past five years, with a 30% increase between 2022 and 2025 alone. Last year saw nearly 24,500 FCNs issued for this offence, up from just over 18,500 in 2022.

The RSA survey, which observed 22,582 drivers at 145 sites, revealed concerning patterns. LGV drivers showed the highest rate of handheld mobile device usage at 15%, whilst rates amongst other vehicle types ranged from 6% to 8%. Of those observed using devices, 48% were holding the phone in their hand, whilst 52% were holding it to their ear.

Male drivers were more likely to be observed using handheld mobile devices, and usage increased on motorways by 10% and on urban roads by 2% compared to 2024.

Eight people have died on Irish roads so far this month as of 27 January, compared to 14 deaths during the same period last year. In total, 188 people died on Irish roads in 2025, the highest number in over a decade.

Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney, said:

"One of the most dangerous behaviours on our roads is driving while distracted. Driving while using a mobile device is utterly unacceptable but unfortunately, this behaviour has become far too common on our roads. Driving any vehicle requires your full attention, and it is unacceptable to put lives at risk by picking up the phone, whatever the reason."

Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, said:

"Driving requires your full attention. When you pick up a mobile phone, read a message, or interact with any device behind the wheel, you are placing yourself, your passengers, and every other road user at risk. No call, message or notification is worth a life."

Sam Waide, Chief Executive Officer of the Road Safety Authority, said:

"Our new Mobile Device Usage Observational Survey shows that 8% of motorists were observed using a handheld mobile device, which represents a deterioration in behaviour when compared to last year. Recent data from the World Health Organisation indicates that drivers using a mobile phone are four times more likely to be involved in a collision."

Gardaí emphasised that distracted driving extends beyond mobile phone use to include checking messages on any device, watching videos, and activities such as shaving, applying makeup, eating and drinking when these activities impede safe driving. Such offences can be prosecuted under section 51(a) Road Traffic Act for driving without reasonable consideration, or in serious cases as careless or dangerous driving.

Nearly 30,000 Fixed Charge Notices have been issued for driving without reasonable consideration over the past five years, with a 36% increase between 2022 and 2025.

An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority are urging all road users to stay safe this bank holiday weekend by avoiding distracted driving, not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, slowing down and always wearing a seatbelt.